Have you ever looked at your electricity bill and thought, “How is it that high? I haven’t used much.”
The reason might be something called “phantom loads” — appliances that use electricity even when they appear to be off. They sit quietly in the background, drawing small amounts of power that add up over time.
Here are some of the most common power-drainers in the home:
Devices and Appliances That Use Power in Standby Mode
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Phone Chargers Left Plugged In
Even when they’re not charging a phone, they still draw a small amount of power. It’s minor per charger, but most homes have several plugged in all the time.
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TVs and Game Consoles in Standby
That little standby light means the device is still powered and ready to turn on instantly. It’s convenient, but it costs money over time.
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Coffee Machines, Air Fryers, and Kitchen Gadgets
Many modern appliances stay “ready” or keep internal systems active even when not in use. If it has a digital display, it’s likely using power around the clock.
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Smart Speakers and Voice Assistants
These are always listening for a wake word, which means they’re always on. Not a problem, just something to be aware of.
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Modems, Routers, and Sky/TV Boxes
These typically run 24/7. They use power continuously because they are not designed to truly shut down unless switched off at the socket.
How to Reduce Phantom Power Without Any Hassle
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Unplug chargers when they’re not being used.
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Turn TVs and consoles fully off at the wall when not needed.
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Use power strips with a switch so multiple items can be shut off together.
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Add timer plugs to devices that don’t need to run overnight.
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Switch bulbs to LED for guaranteed long-term savings.
These simple changes can reduce energy wastage without affecting how you live or use your home.
Need Help Improving Your Home’s Efficiency?
We provide quick, friendly home electrical checks to help you:
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Reduce unnecessary energy use
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Improve efficiency
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Make sure everything is safe and up to standard
For bookings or questions:
Phone: 085 1275630